Fictional Books About Influencers
In the past few years, there has been a growing number of fictional books about influencers. Kirsten and I are all for this trend! I wanted to give you a list of my favorites.
The term influencer has become popular in the last decade or so with the increase in popularity of social media. We have a post on Hollywood Novels that is filled with Kirsten and my favorite fictional celebrities, and I knew that fictional influencers would be such a fun post as well.
I have fiction, thrillers, and romances on this list. I cannot wait for you to tell me what is your favorite book. And, if I forgot your favorite, please let me know so I can add it to my TBR.
The Best Fictional Books About Influencers
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
Best Fiction Influencer Novel
Such a Fun Age – Click here to read the review and see more books in this category
Best Thriller Book About an Influencer
Such a Bad Influence – Click here to read the review and see more books in this category
Best Romance Book About an Influencer
Life’s Too Short – Click here to read the review and see more books in this category
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Fiction Influencer Novels
Such a Fun Age
Author: Kiley Reid
Year: 2020
Genre: Fiction
More info: January 2020 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Such a Fun Age is a remarkable debut contemporary fiction from Philadelphia native Kiley Reid. This novel made me think and question the role our environment plays in who we are and who we become. I love how the author addresses racism without drilling it in.
Rather, she shows what it looks like from the overt to the subtle. The book focuses on the relationship between a Black woman who is a nanny and her employer who is a white social media influencer. There is a strange dynamic in that the employer feels like they are friends, but the friendship is one-sided.
Trigger Warnings
Racism
Why Kirsten loves it
Kiley is a Philadelphian, and Jackie and I loved discussing this book with her in person. This is a perfect pick for your book club to discuss.
Why Jackie loves it
This book made me think about it long after I finished the book. The characters are so strong and jump off the page.
Find this book in: Best Reese Witherspoon Books / Books About Friendship /Fictional Books About Influencers / Reese Witherspoon 2020
You Think It, I’ll Say It
Author: Curtis Sittenfeld
Year: 2018
Genre: Fiction
More info: May 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
The sharp tales within this collection of short stories are perfect for the modern era. From a story about an influencer to a honeymoon vacation gone awry, each story takes a hard look at the flaws and envy our society produces within us.
Why Kirsten likes it
This collection was a lovely little break in my reading. I’ve long been a fan of Sittenfeld’s work, so I was eager to get to this collection. It was nice to be able to read a story in one sitting for a chance. I think I’ll have to read more short stories in the future, particularly if Sittenfeld is at the helm.
Find this book in: Short Stories / Fictional Books About Influencers / Reese Witherspoon 2018
Mystery & Thriller Books About Influencers
Plot
Evie Davis has been a lifestyle influencer since the age of 5 when a video of her and her dad dancing went viral. Her mom was the OG momager. Now, Evie is 18 and a multimillionaire with a YouTuber boyfriend and influencer Frenemies.
Her older sister Hazel seems to be the only one who cares about her well-being, even if they have not spoken in a month. When Evie disappears in the middle of a livestream, Hazel is horrified. Now, she has to work with her mom and the police to find out what happened to her sister.
Why Kirsten loves it
While Hazel dives into Evie’s recent life, she also contemplates the dark side of child influencers and the parents and brands that exploit them. This book will have you examining your scrolling habits through a new lens.
Why Jackie loves it
The format of the book is so unique, that I had a hard time putting it down. I often forgot that Evie and Hazel are not real people.
Find this book in: Beach Reads 2024 / Best Thriller Books of 2024 / Fictional Books About Influencers
Close Your Eyes and Count to 10
Author: Lisa Unger
Year: 2025
Genre: Thriller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range:
Plot
Maverick Dillan is a daredevil and extreme adventurer who plays ultimate games with epic prizes. Adele is a single mother who is struggling for money after her husband embezzled money from his company and disappeared. When she is invited to Falcao Island for a chance to win big prize money, she plans to go, play, win, and return to her kids.
When a huge storm comes in, the social media stunt turns deadly, and Adele is in a struggle for her survival if she wants to return home to her kids.
Why Jackie loves it
I thought the premise of this book was really fun. I loved that the entire game was posted on social media. I also loved that video games and online friendships played a role in this non-stop thriller. I listened to this book and it fept me on my toes. #gifted
Find this book in: Novels about Weather / Isolation Books / Fictional Books About Influencers
Big Summer
Author: Jennifer Weiner
Year: 2020
Genre: Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range:18+
Plot
Daphne and Drue had a very “mean girls” high school friendship. Drue was the it girl, and Daphne loved being in her friend group until Drue pushed her out.
Six years later, Drue tracks Daphne down with a huge request. To be her maid of honor. Daphne gives in, but when a tragedy strikes the night before the wedding, Daphne isn’t sure what to do. This has just turned into a murder investigation.
Why Jackie loves it
The story has a little “more” than some of her other books and it adds to the story. Weiner examines some difficult topics such as body image, expectations of women, and especially social media, and the trolls that can live there. In a world of Instagram and influencers, mean girls, and over-the-top weddings, this book asks the question: Can people really change?
Find this book in: Fictional Books About Influencers
Plot
Set on a secluded resort island in Thailand, the story is told by Cass, an ex-pat who is outrunning her former life, and Brooke, a travel influencer who isn’t quite what she seems.
When Cass discovers the body of a murdered resort guest while teaching her scuba diving class, their sleepy resort is thrown into chaos. Cass and her fellow ex-pats, known as The Permanents, will do anything to avoid media exposure, but as bodies pile up, Cass and Brooke begin to explore what dark secrets lie at the heart of the island.
Why Kirsten loves it
This novel was a thrill ride from the opening murder scene. I was left completely unprepared for the conclusion and the final chapter had me gasping out loud! I can’t imagine a more fun tropical thriller.
Find this book in: Hotel Novels / Full Cast Audiobooks / Best Beach Reads / Best New Thriller Books/ Fictional Books About Influencers
The Wife Upstairs
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Year: 2021
Genre: Thriller
More info: Instant New York Times and USA Today Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This is a Jane Eyre classic retelling featuring a southern home decor influencer! Told by both the second wife and through the diary entries of the first, this domestic thriller is perfect for year-round reading.
Trigger Warnings
Alcoholism
Why Kirsten loves it
I was shocked by the ending. Who would have thought that so many influencer books would be thrillers?
Why Jackie likes it
I liked this book, but I guessed the ending right away which put a damper on the rest of the story for me.
Find this book in: Fictional Books About Influencers / Domestic Thrillers / Classic Book Retellings
Plot
Taking place on the shores of Lake Tahoe, this story is a dual narrative that switches between a grifter and the heiress she is trying to rob.
Nina and her boyfriend, Lachlan, are in town to steal from the wealthy Tahoe inhabitants, specifically Vanessa, an heiress and influencer. But Nina is hiding her connection to Stonehaven, the mansion Vanessa lives in.
The twists kept coming until I wasn’t sure what was going to happen or which person was actually being conned.
Why Kirsten loves it
I love a good thriller, but I’ve found they become predictable after a while. I adored Pretty Things because it kept me on my toes! I listened to this one, so I can tell you that the audiobook was one of my favorites of the year.
Find this book in: Fictional Books About Influencers/ Lake Novels / Books about Thieves
Plot
Her Three Lives focuses on Jade and her fiancé after they have been attacked in a home invasion. Jade is an influencer, and she keeps the invasion from her public following.
She also keeps her secret life from her fiancé, but as his PTSD has him growing more paranoid, he starts to distrust her. Will she be able to keep her secret private for long?
Why Kirsten loves it
I loved the way this story developed with the growing paranoia adding to the thrill of the story.
Find this book in: Fictional Books About Influencers / Ultimate Beach Reads 2021
Romance Books With Influencers
Life’s Too Short
Author: Abby Jimenez
Year: 2021
Genre: Romance
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Vanessa Price is a famous YouTube star whose life motto is to live life to the fullest every day. Her mother and sister both died before they were 30. When she suddenly finds herself with custody of her half-sister’s baby, life takes a spin in the other direction.
Adrian is the complete opposite of Vanessa. He is a lawyer who plans everything. He is her next-door neighbor who happens to know about babies. When these two meet, they are just what the other needs.
Trigger Warnings
Terminal illness, death of a parent
Why Jackie loves it
Abby Jimenez writes so much heart and feeling into her romance novels. I love these characters and watching them grow.
Find this book in: Fictional Books About Influencers/ Romance Tropes
Famous for a Living
Author: Melissa Ferguson
Year: 2023
Genre: Romance
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Don’t let the cover fool you! This story definitely needs to be on our winter books list. It’s all about an influencer embroiled in scandal who agrees to help her uncle revitalize visitor interest in the national park he runs or else it will be shut down.
Why Kirsten loves it
Given that she lands in the middle of a snowstorm, ends up battling the elements, participates in winter games, and meets a burly forest ranger, this romance screams fireside reading.
Find this book in: Fictional Books About Influencers
Blame It on the Mistletoe
Author: Beth Garrod
Year: 2021
Genre: YA Romance
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 13 – 18
Plot
In this story Holly and Noelle swap homes for a week around Christmas. Holly wants to escape her ex-boyfriend (who is also her neighbor) and Noelle is out to win a social media challenge and prove herself as a teen influencer.
But as they get to know each other’s friends and family, their connection to each other grows too. And they learn a few Christmas lessons in the process.
Trigger Warnings
Bullying
Why Kirsten loves it
This is such a cute YA Christmas romance book. It’s a teenage version of The Holiday with the double romances to boot. I loved seeing Holly and Noelle explore the different traditions in the locations they were visiting and the ending just made me smile.
Find this book in: YA Christmas Books / Christmas Novels for 2021 / Fictional Books About Influencers
More Fictional Books About Influencers
Expert Tip
The books on this list fall into distinct genres. I have fiction, thrillers, and romance. If these are not your usual genres, here are some tips for choosing a great book.
- Look at the descriptions to see if the plot of the books appeals to you
- Are you a “Kirsten” or a “Jackie”? You can check who has read the book to help you choose. Bonus if we both read it and loved it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Fictional Book About Influencers?
This list is filled with the best books that have an influencer as a main character. These are fiction novels. The stories and the characters are made up for pure enjoyment and some crazy fun.
Epilogue
What is your favorite influencer novel? Did I forget to add your favorite?
